Dunlop leader Fitzmaurice vows to up intensity

Dunlop National Rally Championship leader Thomas Fitzmaurice has promised to intensify his attempt to win the series that moves to the penultimate stage at Sunday’s Auburn Lodge Clare Rally in Ennis.

The Abbeydorney driver has led the way since his tie-break victory over Cork’s Brian O’Mahony on the Circuit of Kerry. Currently, he is 14 points ahead of the Carrigaline driver, with Monaghan’s Niall Maguire lurking should they slip up in Clare.

A realigned eight-round series, with the best six scores to count, has produced one of the most exciting championship battles in recent times. With dropped scores taken into consideration, a margin of eight points separates the top trio — with Fitzmaurice and O’Mahony sharing top spot.

“I’m fired up, I have to perform, I can’t let Brian [O’Mahony] slip away now. It will be maximum attack from the start and that’s certainly not up for debate,” vowed Subaru WRC driver Fitzmaurice, who can win the Vard Memorial Trophy in Ennis provided he claims maximum points and O’Mahony takes fewer than 14 points.

Without a win since Mayo, top seed Maguire knows he has to take maximum points in Clare to remain in the title race.

“It’s a case of more of the same. I have already dropped my two scores, so this really limits my options, but it’s good for the focus,” said O’Mahony.

Donegal’s Declan Boyle has been ruled out — his S12B Subaru WRC is due an engine rebuild. Other entries include the Subaru WRC duo of Maynooth’s Kevin Barrett and Clonakilty’s Kevin Kelleher.

Limerick’s Colm Murphy can seal the Motorsport Safety Team Group N award and Clonmel’s Roy White (MG S2000) seeks to continue his recent good form.

The battle for supremacy in the inaugural Dunlop Mk 2 Champions Trophy and the popular rally.ie award rests between Tyrone’s Frank Kelly and Cavan’s Jonathan Pringle. Others on the starting list are Shane Maguire (Subaru) and Ruane’s Anthony O’Halloran (Mitsubishi). The first of the day’s nine stages, Spancil Hill, begins at 9.50am.

Having won the WRC Academy series on last year’s Rally GB, Craig Breen (Fiesta S2000) hopes to reduce the 25-point deficit to Swede PG Andersson in the SWRC category. The Waterford driver is down in fourth place having set the pace in the earlier rounds in Monte Carlo and Sweden. With three events remaining, including Rally GB, he remains focused and announced the launch of a new section to his website dedicated to his late co-driver, Gareth Roberts.

Meanwhile, Tyrone’s Alastair Fisher (24) will make his debut in the category after being handed a wild card entry by organisers.

In the main event, Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) goes in search of a sixth straight victory with the Ford duo of Jari Matti Latvala and Petter Solberg intent on breaking the Frenchman’s dominance. Solberg and his Irish co-driver Chris Patterson are third in the current series.

Reigning Billy Coleman Award winner Sam Moffett (Mitsubishi) won the conventional Group N category in last week’s Tour of Flanders in Belgium. He was 12th overall in what was his first rally outside Ireland.

The Leinster Trophy, the most prestigious in Irish motor racing, will be contested by drivers from the Formula Sheane category. The race takes place on Sunday at Mondello Park with the winner joining an impressive roll of honour that includes Mike Hawthorn and Ayrton Senna.

The Irish Touring Car Championship rests between favourite Philip Brennan and Gareth Hayden.